UConn football coach strong -- with a soft side

Sunday

As he prepared his team for its weekly contests, UConn football coach Randy Edsall took time from his busy schedule to make sure another team was ready for the game.

As he prepared his team for its weekly contests, UConn football coach Randy Edsall took time from his busy schedule to make sure another team was ready for the game.

No, Edsall wasn’t working as a double agent. He was busy making sure 25 to 30 underprivileged children in Connecticut had a chance to attend the Huskies’ home games, at his expense.

“This was the first year that I did that. I did it with the Children’s Home of Cromwell and then did it with our Goal Line Project with East Hartford (Middle School),” Edsall said. “We’ve done some things there and given some time to those two charities that we worked on and I just thought it would be nice to give those young people an opportunity to come and experience something they might not have the opportunity to experience. I just thought it would be nice to have those kids experience games this year.”

Having a chance to provide inspiration and role models, the Huskies show children — some of whom have lived tough lives — that hard work pays off.

“Involvement in football puts football players in the spotlight somewhat,” quarterback Tyler Lorenzen said. “It’s part of your responsibility to give back to the community that supports you. I think that’s something our team takes pride in.”

What has Edsall’s effort’s meant to the Children’s Home? He and his wife, Eileen, were named Honorary Co-Chairs for the home’s Capital Campaign.

The coach has also given to the Boys and Girls Club, Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Arthritis Foundation and the Village Walk for Kids.

The impetus for Edsall’s generosity stems to his childhood in Glen Rock, Pa. A town of fewer than 2,000 people, Glen Rock fostered a sense of community in Edsall.

“Growing up, there was always people who gave of themselves and gave of their time to help me become better with what I wanted to do,” he said. “I just felt that the position I’m in, I have the opportunity to give time, money and my name to an organization or to charities to help them in their causes to help other people.”

Just last week, several of the Huskies players attended the Christmas party at the Children’s Home. In addition to the work at the home and with the Goal Line Project, Edsall has the team involved with Positive Steps, a mentoring program.

Many of the players knew their coach was civically inclined. But what surprised — and impressed — some was when they learned the extent of Edsall’s kindness.

“That shows how charitable he is,” safety Donnell Ford said of the ticket donations. “For it to come out of his pocket to have more fans who can’t afford to be there, he makes sure people who are unfortunate are able to go.”

Edsall doesn’t want credit, nor does he want the spot light or a pat on the back. But he’s set the tone for the Huskies on and off the field.

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